Last August the couple had filed a petition with the High Court in Mumbai for the right to abort their child in the 24th week of pregnancy because their doctor had found a heart blockage that would require a pacemaker right from the time of birth.
On 4 August 2008 the High Court ruled against the request because medical experts did not express any “categorical opinion that if the child is born it would suffer from serious handicaps.” It further indicated that it would not have allowed an abortion even before the 20th week because medical opinion was opposed. However, shortly thereafter the woman had a miscarriage.
In India a 1971 law allows abortion after the 20 weeks only when the life of the mother is in danger in order to prevent the widespread practice of female infanticide.
Mgr Agnelo Gracias, auxiliary bishop of Mumbai and chairman of the Commission on the Family of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, had publicly asked the couple not to abort their child, telling them that in case of handicap the latter could be taken in by the Sisters of Mother Teresa or by an adoptive couple.
“Any attempt against human life has repercussions. It cheapens our attitude to life as a whole. Today we face a culture of death in many ways. I think we have to take steps to counteract” it. “Any attack on life, especially an unborn life will surely have harmful consequences,” Bishop Gracias told Asianews.